The Language of Touch
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Touch means contact, with everything thats outside ourselves. For us humans, as it is for animals, touch is of vital importance. We need to know we are not alone, it gives us comfort, warmth, pleasure and reassurance.
Touch is the first to develope from all our senses. As a baby it is through tactile experiences we explore and make sense of the world, and the loving touch of our parents is essential to our growth. As long as our longing to touch and be touched is satisfied
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we grow healthy, but if we are deprived of this it may stifle our developement. Over 35 years ago, American Psychologist S.M. Jourard showed that our perception of how much we are touched by other people seems to be clearly related to our self-esteem, to how we value ourselves. |
| Touch is a universal language we use instinctively to express our feelings towards others to show them that they are loved, wanted and cared for. It's our natural response to a child's bumps and bruises to say: "Let's rub it better," or |
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hold, hug or stroke a friend in need. Whatever our age or stage in life, we all need this human touch. Without the warmth of caring touch we are denied one of our most vital ways of communicating, of giving and recieving.
Why is massage important?
Massage is a healing tool that has been around for thousands of years, and in many different cultures. Health experts say that 80-90% of diseases are stress-related. Going through prolonged periods of stress can have a negative affect on the many systems of our body. When faced with chronic stress people begin to show physical symptoms. At first these symptoms are relatively mild, but after more exposure to stress, serious health problems may develop. Some stress influenced conditions include, but are not limited to:
* Depression
* Diabetes
* Heart disease
* Obesity
* Obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder
* Sexual disfunction
* Ulcers
Many people as well as health professionals are realising now that having regular massage treatments is not just a luxurious pleasure but does improve our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Some of the benefits of massage are:
* Reduces stress and anxiety
* Relieves muscle tension and improves muscle tone
* Reduces inflamation in the joints and soft tissues
* Increases flexability
* Reduces swelling
* Improves circulation
* Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
* Boosts the immune system
* Improves sleep